A 20-year-old man from Dorking has appeared in court in America accused of trying to assassinate Donald Trump.

Michael Steven Sandford - who went to The Ashcombe School and whose family home is in Cotmandene - allegedly tried to grab a handgun from a police officer during a rally for the presumptive Republican presidential candidate held on Saturday (June 18) at the Treasure Island Casino in Las Vegas.

But the attempt was thwarted and he was later charged with an act of violence on restricted grounds.

Sandford appeared in court on Monday (June 20) and was ordered by US Magistrate Judge George Foley Jr to be held without bail.

Michael Sandford being detained in Las Vegas (Image: DO NOT USE DO NOT USE DO NOT USE DO NOT USE DO NOT USE DO NOT USE DO NOT USE DO NOT USE DO NOT USE)

He is believed to have told members of the US Secret Service that he had been "planning to kill Trump for about a year but decided to act on this occasion because he finally felt confident about trying it".

After being arrested, police said his first words to officers were that "if he [Trump] were on the street tomorrow, he would try this again".

In a complaint filed in the Nevada US District Court, Special Agent Joseph Hall wrote how Sandford had driven from California and visited a gun range in Las Vegas the day before the rally in order to learn how to shoot.

On the day itself, the would-be killer is alleged to have approached a police officer on the pretence that he wanted an autograph from Trump.

Michael Sandford's family home in Dorking (Image: SWNS.com)

The court report detailed how Sandford then tried grabbing the handle of the cop’s handgun in an attempt to remove it.

The report gave details of how the Brit had visited the Battlefield Vegas Gun range to learn how to use a gun.

“Sandford said he went on June 17 2016 to learn how to shoot a gun,” it stated.

“Sandford claimed that this was his first time he had ever fired a gun.

“According to Sandford, he fired 20 rounds from a 9mm Glock pistol for the purpose of learning how to use it.”

The man was later identified by staff at the gun range as having been there the day before to practice.

They recognised him by his UK driving licence which was shown to them.

The report said Sandford had “targeted Officer Jacobs because he believed he saw the officer’s holster in an unlocked postion".

“Sandford reasoned it would be the easiest way to acquire a gun to shoot Trump," it added.

When asked what he would have done had he not made an attempt on Trump’s life in Las Vegas, Sandford reportedly said he had also bought ticket for a Trump rally in Phoenix, Arizona, where he would try again.

Donald Trump (Image: Getty)

When the suspect appeared in court on Monday, it emerged he had been living in his car while on an expired Visa.

Assistant US Attorney Jared Grimmer argued for Sandford to remain on remand, arguing he was unemployed and living in the States illegally with no ties to Las Vegas.

Mr Grimmer also said Sandford may have some "mental health issues".

Following the arrest, Sandford's mother told court researchers he had been treated for obsessive compulsive disorder and anorexia when he was younger, and that he once escaped from a hospital in England.

Public defender Heather Fraley said the suspect appeared to be competent and had not been diagnosed with a mental illness, but that he had autism and had previously attempted suicide.

Judge Foley Jr found him to be a danger to the community and a flight risk, and he was ordered to be held without bail.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are providing assistance following an arrest of a British national in Las Vegas."

If found guilty, Sandford could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.